Should I even bother with Stanford

lookingforward
Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:43:52 +0000

Sorry about this , OP.

Iso, there are some fundamental- and risky- misconceptions floating around.

Adcoms do compare to other schools, for final decisions. Your hs’s best candidate may top others from that hs, but it’s not what leads to an admit, in the larger scheme. The kid at another area school may best them.

You are not required to report AP scores. But it is a very big part of review, for the highly and most competitive colleges. "Required’ and “savvy” are two different things. And this OP wants STEM, with a 2 in physics and 3s in calc and the sub score. A slew of B grades, throughout. * Including in the calc and physics courses.* in For engineering at Stanford, that’s pretty iffy. For humanities, too. If he doesn’t show some score the app, adcoms don’t assume it was a good score.

Right, no option to send scores officially. But the Common App has a section for self reporting.

“Most colleges put little attention to those exam scores in the admissions process.” But OP is asking about Stanford (!) and Duke- and on another thread, Yale. They pay attention. They will pick the kids they feel are the best of the best, in all the ways that matter to them. “…won’t be penalized…” He will be at a major disadvantage.

Ranking? He could be val in his hs and if he’s not showing strengths relative to the giant applicant pool, no hs standing or “compelling” essay will overcome the academics. Frankly, if he had this problem with physics and calc, but was stronger in humanities, that would be different.

Yes, we’re all recommending OP find matches and safeties. And yes, maybe he picks one reach to try, for the heck of it. But it has to be eyes wide open, aware he is in a less competitive position.